TAMPINES 1 will open it doors on Thursday. Those with mall fatigue will moan: “Yet another mall?”
But I’m excited. It helps that I’m a Tampines resident who could do with new distractions. The two existing malls are lovely, but more is more. There is also the thrill of being in a spanking new mall.
Besides, I’m on the quest to being a functioning recessionista – well, it’s the latest fad – so it’s more window shopping, less credit- carding.
At a mall, there is free aircon, eye candy and pretty things to look at. What a great way to spend aBy Thursday, the six-storey mall promises that about 80 per cent of the 172 shops will be ready for your scrutiny. weekend, right?
Attractive
Tampines 1 – once the breeze-blocking bane of my MRT experience – turns out to be rather fetching. The generous skylight offers cheer and the mall seems easy enough to navigate.
On the retail side, some of the shops there are found everywhere else. There is a mild sense of deja vu, but it saves on taxi fare to town. I pay about $14 for a cab ride to Orchard Road, but now I can take a feeder bus to Tampines 1.
That makes sense to me. Anyway, the extra money could go into buying a bowl of ice kachang.
But there are some unique shops too (which would probably be no longer unique when the big boys in Orchard Road open).
Also, a recessionista knows that when times are bad, the customer wins. Expect to get loads of special offers, deals and lucky draws.
The lingering smell of glue and paint may still be a tad overwhelming, but let’s not fool ourselves: We’ll be storming the mall the moment we can. We can’t help it. We’re Singaporeans.
WHAT’S HOT AT TAMPINES 1
1. The most talked-about shop in Tampines 1 could well be Japanese fashion house Uniqlo (#02-28), which is making its debut here. You'll find mix-and-match basics made of cotton. Uniqlo is offering an opening celebration offer from Thursday until 19 Apr. You can get UT T-shirts for $19.90 (usually $24.90) and denims at $49.90 (regular price $69.90). There will also be special buys priced between $4.90 and $6.90.
2. For the first time, Topshop/Topman (#01-25) is going to the heartlands. The UK fashion hub is popular with the young and the prices reflect that.
An added bonus to shop there now: A sure-win lucky draw.
Spend $80 there and win fashion items such as Topman aviators and Dorothy Perkins clutch bags (it's trendy now). During the May Day weekend (1 to 3May), style advisers will be at Tampines 1 atrium to offer free fashion advice.
3. Making its debut is Bossini Style (#01-04). This is a new concept for the basic wear label, focusing on women aged 20 to 35. You'll find clothes inspired by European trends for office and casual wear. You can look good in the office and can pop out for cocktails with clients without too much stress.
4. Another new store is French label Cache Cache (#01-41).
This is part of the successful French Beaumanoir Group that has over 1,200 ready-to-wear retail stores worldwide. The clothes are for women aged between 18 and 30. You'll get a new collection every fortnight.
5. At Twister hair salon (#05-26), get a trendy look for less. Part of the Monsoon chain, it's owned by hairstylist Addy Lee and artistes Mark Lee and Michelle Chia. To celebrate the opening, there will be a 49 per cent discount on all chemical services, 39per cent off for hair treatments and a haircut for $20.90.
This article was first published in The New Paper.
pojuagirl